South Africa’s new-vehicle sales rose 10.4% in October compared with a year earlier, while a monthly rebound in exports left overseas shipments for the first ten months of 2026 below last year’s level.
Figures released by automotive industry body Naamsa on Monday, 2 November, show domestic sales of 61,890 vehicles, up from 56,051 in October 2025. The increase amounts to 5,839 vehicles.
Exports reached 38,117 units, a 6.3% improvement on October last year and 21.1% above September. However, cumulative exports from January to October remained 8.3% lower than in the equivalent period of 2025.
Passenger cars lead domestic growth
The passenger-car market accounted for most of the increase. Sales reached 45,084, up 5,380 vehicles, or 13.6%, from October 2025.
Light commercial vehicles, including bakkies and minibuses, recorded a more modest improvement: sales increased 2.2% to 13,689.
The commercial market was mixed. Medium commercial vehicle sales slipped 0.9% to 770 units, while heavy trucks and buses together rose 8.1% to 2,347.
Naamsa estimated that dealers accounted for 78% of total domestic sales. Rental companies took 16.5%, government purchases 3.3% and corporate fleets 2.2%. Within the passenger-car market, rental companies accounted for 21.4% of sales.
One stronger export month does not close the gap
The October export improvement followed declines since February, according to Naamsa. It attributed the recovery to stronger performance in selected segments, particularly light commercial and extra-heavy commercial vehicles.
